Fractional Expert & Interim Executive Singapore

Arjun - Fractional COO Financial Services- Strategy, Transformation, Operations and Risk Management

At Maestro, we know there’s more to life than work. In fact, it’s the experiences, relationships and pursuits we have outside of work that can often give us an edge in what we do each day. We host an interview series called “Meet the Maestro” where we interview our Maestros and get an insight to who they really are and what makes them tick - beyond the CV.

Arjun has spent more than two decades operating at the heart of some of the world’s most complex financial institutions: bringing together strategy, operations, risk, controls and transformation to make big visions actually work. What sets him apart is his rare ability to zoom out and see the enterprise-wide picture, while never losing sight of the detail that drives execution. Known for bringing clarity to complexity, Arjun has led massive-scale transformations across global banking and wealth businesses, helping organisations simplify what’s broken, align around what matters and deliver meaningful change with discipline, pace and humanity.

1. Tell us about a career highlight to date…

A career highlight was leading an enterprise-wide risk and control transformation across more than 50 markets. It was a complex mandate, because it required not just process change, incorporating AI but also creating a culture shift in ownership and behaviour.

What made it meaningful was that we improved control effectiveness and created much better visibility for our leadership and the regulator, while also building a stronger culture of accountability. That is the kind of change that lasts.

2. Talk us through an unusual career choice you’ve made along the way…

One of the more unusual choices I made was to move from line role into a highly visible transformation role that came with significant ambiguity and no easy template for success.

It was not the safest option, but it was the right one for my learning and growth. It taught me how to lead through uncertainty, build trust quickly, and create momentum without waiting for perfect conditions.

3. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I came from an Army background and was drawn to roles where you could build something meaningful, continuously push the learning boundaries for self and lead people toward a shared goal which helped the community at large. That could have looked like entrepreneurship, leadership, or any role where you shape outcomes rather than simply manage activity. That instinct has stayed with me and has grown more...

4. What are your passions outside of work and how do you make time for them?

I value time with family, and I make a deliberate effort to stay physically active through sports. Both help me stay grounded, maintain perspective and is oxygen for my balance.

I protect that time rather than treating it as optional. In demanding roles, I have found that being intentional about what matters outside work actually makes me better at work.

5. If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be and why?

I would currently choose to master AI as I enjoy to always learn about emerging technologies at a deeper and more practical level. This stems from my desire to actively learn and push my own boundaries.

I already understand the strategic importance, but I would like to be able to connect technology, data, and operating model design even more directly to unlock the financial value. In a COO role, that is becoming increasingly important.

6. What’s a personal value or belief that guides the way you live your life?

Ownership. I believe in taking responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks.

That means being accountable, staying calm when things are unclear, and solving problems rather than passing them on. It is a value that builds trust, and trust is essential in leadership.

7. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome outside of work that shaped you?

One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to manage periods where personal and professional demands are both high.

It taught me that resilience is not just about pushing through; it is about staying clear, prioritising well, and keeping perspective when things are intense. That experience has shaped how I lead today — I try to stay steady under pressure and create that same sense of calm and focus for the people around me.

8. What do you think your job will look like in 10 years time?

I think the COO role will be much more integrated with technology, data, and real-time decisioning.

It will be less about managing static processes and more about orchestrating a connected operating model across people, platforms, controls, and insights. The best COOs will combine judgment, adaptability, and fluency in technology.

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do?

I would like to go to interior of Japan.

I’m drawn to the balance it offers—deep tradition alongside precision and innovation. I’d spend time experiencing the culture, observing the discipline in how things are done, and using the space to reflect and reset. I find those moments of stepping away often lead to clearer thinking when you return.

10. What does success look like to you?

Success is creating impact that lasts.

Professionally, it means building stronger businesses, better control environments, and teams that can sustain performance without constant intervention. Personally, it means doing that while staying true to my values and keeping a sense of balance.

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